Should Gore endorse -- or supplant Bill Clinton as party's titular head, above the fray?

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: 02/ 1/2008
In the Democratic Primary, W.W.A.G.D.?
Andres Martinez

Dear Stumped,

What is the deal with Al Gore? Is he going to sit out this campaign -- or even retire from politics altogether? -- after backing Howard Dean in 2004? What is the proper etiquette for the former vice president? Could he endorse the spouse of the man who made him vice president?

Ryan Ashworth

*

Dear Ryan,

Al Gore's feelings about this election must be complicated (as I have written before). Given his politics in recent years, and reports of lingering resentment toward the Clintons, I can see how the former vice president may be rooting for Barack Obama. Maybe he'll still endorse him. That would be a huge coup for Obama, obviously, and a move of greater consequence than Gore's endorsement of Howard Dean in the 2004 primaries. For one, Gore has more stature than he did four years ago. And an endorsement now would be a direct insult to the Clintons, whereas his 2004 decision was only a slight against his hapless 2000 running mate, Joe Lieberman.

Still, as much as Gore may want to make a difference and may be tempted to deploy some of his considerable moral authority -- it tends to pile up when the Supreme Court denies you the presidency and you go on to win a Nobel Peace Prize -- I believe it would be a mistake for him to enter the arena....

(A) Gore endorsement of Obama, however it played in the short term, would diminish the former vice president's stature as a statesman. In 2004, when Gore endorsed Dean, Bill Clinton stayed on the sidelines, playing the role of party elder statesman. Now that Clinton has shed his post-presidential gravitas to become just another political hack, Gore has an opening: He can be the guy that settles intramural spats instead of exacerbating them. He can be the Democratic Party's Official Grownup.

There is also the issue of loyalty....(E)ndorsing Hillary Clinton's opponent would be bad form for Gore. He would probably be just another senator (ask Chris Dodd or Joe Biden what that gets you in Iowa) if Clinton hadn't tapped him to be his running mate in 1992. Gore's endorsement of Obama would strike millions of Americans as a petulant, ungrateful act....He may not have wielded as much power as Dick Cheney -- not even George Bush can claim that! -- but Gore was a respected and influential member of the Clinton team....

Gore doesn't need to endorse Obama to assert his independence or signal that he has issues with the Clintons. His neutrality in itself -- the fact that he is not on the campaign trail for Clinton -- speaks volumes. And having watched Bill Clinton recently diminish himself by engaging in the messiness of primary politics, Gore should capitalize on the opportunity to supplant his former boss as the party's titular head, hovering benevolently above the fray. That's how he can get the last laugh.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/stumped/?hpid=opinionsbox1

[no name no slogan]

1. Gore is above party politics-- he has entered the realm of "statesman", a la Carter

He knows a good thing when he's got it. He can do more for global warming by remaining in his statesman role than he can by getting back into partisan bickering.

He's staying out for a reason.

[Pathwalker]

2. Gore said he had no plans to endorse anyone, during

interviews about his Nobel prize - why do so many think he wasn't telling the truth then?
Check out Rolling Stone or CNN's interview with Wolf Blitzer - he said he was sitting this election cycle OUT.

[groovedaddy]

3. How can Gore effect the candidates position on global warming?

My sense is that both Obama and Clinton know, without doubt, that global warming is a matter that will have to be dealt with quickly.
Would Gore offer an endorsement in return for a powerful STATEMENT & position on global warming from either Obama or Clinton? If they both GET IT, then it doesn't really matter. Gore must have spoken with both candidates in depth on this.

[KittyWampus]

4. Good Point! And it's a shame Bill has tarnished him image somewhat. Gore will make

a difference as he already has had an impact.

[madrchsod]

5. above the fray!

he`s to important for politics..he needs to be the spokesman for saving our planet.

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. I think he has been, ever since 2000. nt

[ben_meyers]

7. Why Al won't or can't get too involved

Al Gore's TV company files for IPO worth up to $100M

In its SEC filing, Current Media said, "Our success is critically dependent on the expertise and continued service of our founders, Al Gore and Joel Hyatt." If Gore left the company, "our relationships with key distributors and our business could be materially and adversely affected."

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/01/28/daily18.html?ana=from_rss

What does it mean?

In the Sec filing this is what is known as a forward looking or "blue sky" statement. While this IPO is being shopped to investors and brokers both Al and Joel have to be a little cautious about what they do. The statement is a warning that both of these gentlemen are "key" to the success of the company going forward. A misstep or departure by either could result in an adverse impact on the viability of the venture. It could even result in a shareholder lawsuit. Bear in mind that Mr. Gore has also recently partnered with a large silicon valley venture capital firm engaged in raising money for future ventures.

While it doesn't preclude an endorsement as such, it may explain a reluctance to do so.

None of this is to denigrate Al Gore at all, it just seems that he has move on from partisan projects into what he really wants to do.

[Nedsdag]

8. Al, stay above the fray.

You don't need to endorse anyone.